GameTimeline

Release & story order

Wolfenstein timeline

MachineGames' Wolfenstein reboot from The New Order (2014) through The Old Blood standalone expansion and The New Colossus (2017)—US release dates, BJ Blazkowicz chronology, and FAQ for Youngblood, Cyberpilot VR, and classic id Software shooters.

Updated August 2026

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Release order

When MachineGames shipped each reboot chapter—The New Order (May 2014), The Old Blood standalone expansion (May 2015), The New Colossus (October 2017). Youngblood (2019) and Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot VR are optional spin-offs.

  • Newcomers → Wolfenstein: The New Order → The Old Blood → The New Colossus
  • Youngblood → optional co-op sequel—optional; polarizing story follow-up
  • Classic 1990s–2000s Wolfenstein → optional; not required for reboot lore
  • Alt-history Nazis won WWII—MachineGames reboot, not id's 1992 plot 1:1
Story order tips

BJ Blazkowicz reboot fiction runs The New Order → The Old Blood (flashback) → The New Colossus. Old Blood is a 1946 Castle Wolfenstein prequel chapter set during the same timeline gap—play after New Order intro or in Story order between NO and Colossus.

  • Core reboot: The New Order (1960) → Old Blood flashback (1946) → The New Colossus (1961)
  • Old Blood stars BJ in Castle Wolfenstein—connects to New Order prologue
  • Youngblood (1980) → optional FAQ sequel with BJ's twin daughters
  • On Story order, Colossus late-game beats may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Wolfenstein: The New Order

    Wolfenstein: The New Order

    PCPS3PS4Xbox 360Xbox OneFPSMainlineReboot

    Wolfenstein: The New Order reboots BJ Blazkowicz into a 1960s Nazi-victory alt-history FPS from MachineGames.

    Overview
    Dual-timeline 1946/1960 framing, stealth-or-assault levels, and pulp sci-fi weapons under a resistance drama. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Story 1960 Europe/Berlin after a 1946 prologue. Required for the MachineGames arc.
    Should you play it?
    Modern reboot start—play before The New Colossus. The Old Blood is a prequel standalone. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US May 20, 2014 on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
  2. Wolfenstein: The Old Blood

    Wolfenstein: The Old Blood

    PCPS4Xbox OneFPSExpansionStandalone

    Wolfenstein: The Old Blood is the 1946 Castle Wolfenstein standalone prequel—shorter, denser Nazi occult pulp.

    Overview
    Standalone expansion-scale campaign revisiting classic Castle Wolfenstein vibes with New Order systems. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    1946 flashback missions. Fine before or after New Order on Release; Story tab places it first.
    Should you play it?
    Optional on Release; on Story it slots as the 1946 flashback before New Order’s 1960 campaign. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US May 5, 2015 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
  3. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

    Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

    PCPS4Xbox OneSwitchFPSMainlineReboot

    Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus takes the Kreisau Circle’s war to 1961 America—BJ vs the Reich on US soil.

    Overview
    Larger hub freeroam on the Eva’s Hammer, disability framing after New Order, and denser stealth FPS set pieces. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Story 1961 United States. Caps the main MachineGames BJ arc on this page.
    Should you play it?
    Direct sequel—finish New Order first. Youngblood is optional and omitted here. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US October 27, 2017 on PC, PS4, Xbox One; Switch later.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Old Blood placement, Youngblood co-op, and 1990s classics.

Release order

Release order is ship dates (2014 → 2015 → 2017). Story order is New Order (1960) → Old Blood flashback (1946) → New Colossus (1961). Most players play New Order → Old Blood → Colossus in release order—that matches the intended experience.

Recommended reboot path: The New Order → The Old Blood → The New Colossus. Skip Youngblood unless you want co-op. Classic 1990s games are optional nostalgia—not required.

Story & reboot

After The New Order—either immediately (release order) or as the 1946 flashback on Story order before Colossus. It expands the Castle Wolfenstein prologue and is short (about eight chapters). Not a separate universe.

Optional & classics

Wolfenstein: Youngblood (July 26, 2019) is a co-op sequel set in 1980 with BJ's daughters—optional, not on main titles on this timeline. Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot VR (2019) is a short VR spin-off in the same era—also optional. Play after Colossus if you want more; many fans stop at Colossus.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.